shadownomad43 said:So, I guess I’m finally checking in here to join the club... I mean, it feels like I should have done this sooner, perhaps—though I wasn't entirely sure if I had much to contribute at first. But here I am! Just wanted to say hello and get myself settled into the fold. 😁
I completely understand where you're coming from—I really do.
I mean, if I’m being totally honest—and I guess I should be—my entire spine feels like... well, I don't even want to say what—but it's just a complete mess.
Well, I suppose I really ought to say this... To put it briefly—and I mean truly, strictly in a nutshell—...
On top of everything else—and I suppose this is adding to the pile—I actually dealt with a bout of shingles about a year ago.
Your post actually brought back some memories—it kind of reminded me of those intense pains that damn virus triggered—which people usually describe as chronic neuralgia... or whatever else you want to call it... and blah blah blah...
Well, I suppose I’m mostly doing exactly what you're doing—just lying around.
I guess nobody really believes me when I say that this is the only way—well, the only way that actually makes the pain feel even slightly more manageable.
The pain is pretty much everywhere lately—it’s constant, really—but I’ve been managing everything without any medication. I suppose that’s because I have to be extra careful; being a bit of a gastro patient myself, I tend to run from NSAIDs and other painkillers like they're the plague. It's probably for the best, I guess, but it certainly makes things more complicated.
Right now, my biggest headache—if you can even call it that, since it’s more of a full-body ordeal—is this Th2-Th3 disc protrusion. It’s been a bit of a nightmare, honestly. I actually have seven of these issues stretching all the way down my spine at the moment, plus I’ve already had two surgeries for L5-S1 herniated discs back in the day. But the Th2-Th3 situation is particularly tricky because, well, it has already messed with my nerves quite a few times—specifically those ones that manage the heart and lungs, which is just lovely, isn't it? I guess it’s just one of those things I have to navigate.
I suppose it might be better if I didn't go into too much detail—though, honestly, describing this pain is a bit much—about how it starts right in my chest and then just sort of radiates outward toward my lower jaw, and then moves over my shoulder into my back, and even travels down under my armpit along my arms... it’s quite a lot to deal with, I guess.
A heart attack—well, that’s just... oh boy. That's quite the situation to find oneself in.
By the way—I am currently sitting here, just waiting my turn for an MRI appointment that was actually scheduled three months ago... it's set for April 3rd, 2017. I guess things move at their own pace around here. 🙂
I suppose I might finally be seeing this happen... maybe?
In the meantime—and I suppose this is just part of the whole process, though it’s certainly a bit frustrating—I’ve been noticing these little bumps popping up everywhere lately. They seem to show up on my wrists, my forearms, even my feet... It's almost like these nerve issues are triggering some sort of paresthesia, along with this constant itching. I guess it's all interconnected, maybe?
I suppose I should probably mention—though I'm really not sure if it's worth bringing up—this constant sensation of tingling and pins and needles spreading all over my body... not to mention that back paresthesia which, honestly, gets so itchy and painful it’s enough to drive anyone absolutely mad.
And so... anyway...
Well... there you have it.
So, we’re still here—which means there are a few more of us left, I suppose...
I was just sitting here wondering—and please feel free to correct me if I'm off base—but has anyone actually noticed any real improvement after all this time? I mean, it's been quite a while now, hasn't it? I guess I'm just curious if things are feeling even slightly better for you all... maybe just a little bit?
I've been dealing with the exact same thing lately—it’s been going on for about seven weeks now, actually. It just seems to linger, I guess. If anyone has any advice or even just some suggestions on what might help, I would truly appreciate it. Any input at all is more than welcome.